The League Managers’ Association has apologised for describing a series of discriminatory text messages sent by Malky Mackay as “banter”, while Harry Redknapp stepped in to defend him.

Mackay on Thursday apologised for sending text messages that were “disrespectful of other cultures” following a day in which the FA launched an investigation into allegations of serious misconduct by the former Cardiff manager and technical director Iain Moody. The allegations of racist, homophobic and sexist messages, along with information about transfers at Cardiff, were sent to the FA in a dossier compiled by the club’s owner, Vincent Tan, prompting Moody to resign as Crystal Palace’s sporting director.

The LMA exacerbated the issue on Thursday night with a statement of its own, in which Mackay apologised for sending texts that “were disrespectful to other cultures” but he “was letting off steam to a friend during some friendly text message banter”.

That statement has since been removed from the LMA’s website, while the organisation attempted to clarify the situation on Friday morning and apologise for “trivialising” serious issues.

Another statement read: “The LMA apologises for some of its wording, in its release yesterday, which was inappropriate and has been perceived to trivialise matters of a racist, sexist or homophobic nature. That was certainly not our intention.

“It is beyond argument that any comments that are discriminatory, even used in private, are totally unacceptable. The LMA remains absolutely aware of our responsibility to the game and to promote and uphold the highest standards of behaviour.

“The LMA will not be commenting further on the allegations relating to Malky Mackay whilst the Football Association conducts its investigation, other than to repeat that both the LMA and Malky will be co-operating fully. We will continue to work with all of the game’s stakeholders to address the important issues of respect and discriminatory behaviour in all its forms.”

Redknapp is adamant that this episode should not finish Mackay’s career. The Queens Park Rangers manager firmly believes he should be given a second chance. “I’m not condoning what he’s done because it’s wrong if he’s done what has been alleged. But he’s not a bad person, he’s a fantastic lad. Show me someone who has never made a mistake in their life and I’ll show you a liar. It happens,” Redknapp said.

“He’s not murdered anyone, he’s not a rapist or a paedophile. He’s made a big mistake. It shouldn’t finish his life or his football career. It’s going to take time for him to get back into the game. People get second chances in life who have committed bad crimes. Why shouldn’t he? He’s made a mistake but we’re not going to hang him for it are we? Given time his life has to go on. Hopefully he’ll learn from the silly mistakes he’s made.

“Lots of people do that silly tweeting. I’m lucky, I don’t send text messages too often. I do get text messages from people with sick jokes on when something terrible has happened. I don’t read them, they make me ill. But it does happen and I’m sure I’m not the only person who gets them. He’s a good person beneath all that and I hope he comes back. I can’t imagine how he must be suffering for the big mistake he’s made.

“What they’ve done is obviously not right but Malky Mackay is a fantastic lad, a great fella. A family man, a real football man.

“He’s made a big mistake. People make mistakes in life. We can all come out and be critical. I hear people on the radio. They’ve probably made mistakes but suddenly everyone is an angel. It shouldn’t finish his life should it. He’s a young man and a top manager. I feel really sad and sorry for what he’s done. I’m sure no one is suffering like him and his family are today.”